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Book Michael Sembello for a Private Event
Booking a celebrity for a private event, corporate event or ticketed performance can be a complex and time consuming task. If you have never hired an A-list entertainer, be prepared to discuss all of the details of your event including, location of event, expected head count, ticket prices, accommodations, duration of event and more.
With Seattle Entertainment Group, we offer transparent and affordable celebrity booking services. It doesn’t matter if you have a small budget or a six-figure allowance, we will help you locate, select and book the perfect entertainer for your event. We have a vast network of industry professionals that are exclusive and we have personally worked with thousands of entertainers over the last two decades.
Our celebrity booking services will help you save time, money and precious energy throughout the entire talent booking process. This includes negotiating, contracting and offer submission. We hold your hand from start to finish. Already familiar with the process? Great! Let us help you get a lower price using our relationships and routed venues across the world.
Bio
Michael Andrew Sembello, born on April 17, 1954, hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a talented American singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer, and producer. He gained widespread recognition when he was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his iconic 1983 track "Maniac," which he co-wrote and performed. This song soared to the top of the charts in the United States and became a notable part of the soundtrack for the film Flashdance.
Sembello's journey in music began as a session musician, primarily as a guitarist. By the time he was 17, he was already working professionally alongside Stevie Wonder, playing electric and acoustic guitar as part of the studio recordings for Wonder's album, Fulfillingness' First Finale. That same year, he was selected as one of the main contributors for the ambitious double album, Songs in the Key of Life, which took two years to complete. He played lead and rhythm guitar on many tracks, showcasing his skill on the intricate jazz-rock instrumental "Contusion." Additionally, he shares songwriting credit with Wonder for the song "Saturn," as noted in the album's credits.
Sembello also wrote "Mirror Mirror," which became a major hit for Diana Ross in 1981, reaching No. 2 on the soul singles chart and climbing to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another noteworthy song he penned is "Carousel," which Michael Jackson recorded for his iconic 1982 album, Thriller. Although "Carousel" was ultimately replaced on the album's track list by "Human Nature," it later appeared as a bonus track on Thriller 25, the album's 25th-anniversary reissue. In 2013, the full version of "Carousel" was made available on iTunes as part of The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection.
SEG does not, nor claims to, represent any celebrity as the exclusive booking agent. Seattle Entertainment Group does not manage any celebrities listed on this website. SEG acts only as a buyer’s agent for venues, event professionals, companies and organizations to book celebrities for corporate and private events, paid commercials, casino concerts, engagements as well as other various appearances. The celebrities listed on this site are for informational purposes only and are intended as a resource for our clients to provide ideas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need security for my event if I hire a celebrity?
Yes, the celebrity may require you to hire unarmed police or private esecurity. It depends on the status of the chosen celebrity and the type of event. The artist needs protection and everyone’s reputation is in jeopardy if they are not reasonably protected. Sometimes the celebrity will bring their own bodyguard.
Will I have to pay for the celebrity’s hotel, travel and food?
Most of the time the celebrity will expect general food and beverage accommodations for the duration of the event. In more complex bookings, they may want to be fed from the day of arrival to the day of departure. Additionally, hotels and transportation should be provided unless a buyout is included in the offer being submitted before you book a celebrity.
Will I get my money back after I have hired a celebrity and my event is canceled?
If your event is canceled sometimes you can receive a refund or a credit toward future or rescheduled performance in the event of a force majeure. Other times the contract has strict cancellation terms that must be adhered to. We help you outline the cancellation terms in the negotiating process.
Can I hire a celebrity for an event myself?
Anyone can hire a celebrity. You will pay more in most cases because an artist can tell if you are not familiar with the process. Always consult with a professional before you book a celebrity yourself. There is a specific process that should be followed.
Will a celebrity prepare a speech or promote my product at the event?
The short answer is yes. The celebrity will help promote your product and deliver a speech if that is included in the deal points when we submit the offer. A celebrity may also post the product on their social media.
What happens if a celebrity is late to my event?
Sometimes flights are delayed, it’s the unfortunate part of traveling abroad. As part of the contract process, we help eliminate delays by adding a late-arrival clause that allows you to cancel the performance if an artist is late beyond a certain point. It’s not ideal and it is rarely a concern, but the good news is that you will get your deposit back and you will not be liable for the performer’s final payment.
Can I pick which songs the celebrity performs at my event?
You can certainly create a list of songs you want performed. The celebrity will sing or perform all of the chosen songs or as many as reasonably possibly within the appearance time paid for.
Will a celebrity sing and perform at my private or public event?
Absolutely, there are some requirements to be aware of if you want a musical performance, however. A celebrity may ask you to fulfill parts of their tour rider, which outlines specific types of equipment needed to execute a live performance.
Are there any celebrities I cannot hire for my event?
It depends, some celebrities will avoid certain political affiliations, communities or parties that may be considered a conflict of interest. We will help you determine the potential obstacles before wasting any time.
Will the celebrity I choose take pictures with my family and friends?
Yes, the celebrity will take pictures with you and a small group of people assuming you make time for it during their appearance. If you want a celebrity to appear for an hour, set aside 30 minutes of that time for a meet and greet, otherwise the celebrity may not stick around for longer than what’s stated in their contract.
How much does it cost to hire a celebrity for an event?
The cost to hire a celebrity can vary from artist to artist. Other determining factors will influence the price as well. The deal points we create on your behalf , the location of your event, and duration of appearance can heavily influence the price of a celebrity booking.
Can you guarantee the celebrity will be hired for my event?
In most cases, if the celebrity is available and the offer is strong, we guarantee the chosen celebrity will strongly consider the offer. Sometimes, it makes sense to have a backup plan, however, schedules change and late bookings can be risky. It’s best to have 2-3 celebrities in mind before you start the process, just in case the first is unavailable.
When will I have to pay the celebrity to appear at my private or public event?
Typically an artist will be paid in two separate installments. The first payment is a deposit of 50% which is usually paid thirty to ninety days from the engagement. Sometimes the artist will require a full payment upfront, it depends on the scope of work and the notoriety of the celebrity being considered. The final payment of 50% is paid on the day of the event, unless there is a ticket reconciliation that needs to occur.
Will the celebrity sign autographs for my team and client?
Yes, of course. We include signed memorabilia in all of our offers (memorabilia to be provided by the venue or client).
How long does it take to hire a celebrity for a private or public ticket event?
It can take as much as three to four months to confirm a celebrity appearance, or two days depending on the deal points, offer and location of your event. Start the process early – that’s our recommendation.
What is the process for hiring a celebrity for a private or ticket event?
The process includes selecting the artist(s), contacting our agency, then creating deal points to include in an offer sheet. Once you have the details outlined, we can discuss the terms with the artist or manager. After the artist agrees to the deal points, a contract is signed, a deposit is made and the performance will happen before the remaining money is paid to the artist.
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